Kauffman’s Currents features stories and insights that underscore the essential role of education and entrepreneurship in empowering all people to shape their futures, create vibrant communities, and grow an inclusive economy.

The overall goal is that students of all ages in Kansas City are prepared for learning, work, and life after graduation, enabling them to be economically independent, contributing members of their communities.

The Kauffman Foundation Conference Center is a nationally recognized convening site located adjacent to the Foundation offices in Kansas City. This facility welcomes more than 75,000 thought leaders per year.

The ESHIP Summit 2019

The 2019 ESHIP Summit in Kansas City brought together more than 500 entrepreneurial ecosystem builders – leaders connecting communities to accelerate entrepreneurship.

The 2019 Summit

Please note that the following content is specific to the 2019 ESHIP Summit. Updates for the 2020 convening can be found here.

The 2019 ESHIP Summit in Kansas City brought together more than 500 entrepreneurial ecosystem builders – leaders connecting communities to accelerate entrepreneurship. Over the course of three days in late May, the group gathered to collaborate and grow the emerging field of entrepreneurial ecosystem building.

This year, participants built upon previous Summit work by exploring how we might achieve the 7 ESHIP Goals by prioritizing initiatives around each goal and exploring how we might bring them to life.

As we transition into the Deliver phase of our multi-year “Discover-Design-Deliver” framework, more visibility, alignment, coordination and collaboration will be needed to effectively work together as we fortify the field. The ESHIP Goals serve as a framework to help us prioritize, organize, and collaborate as we work together to improve the effectiveness of ecosystem builders everywhere.

Victor Hwang, vice president of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation, opened up this year’s ESHIP Summit with a look at where we are and where we’re headed. Watch his remarks below.

Watch: “ESHIP Summit 2019: Active Activism for Entrepreneurial Ecosystems with Victor Hwang” | 12:28 Kauffman’s Victor Hwang answers the question, “What can you do?” to support entrepreneurial growth in your community. By being advocates for new business, we can transform communities and build ecosystems through entrepreneurship.